BACOLOD City – The local government unit here is urging the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to “reinstate” the original number of beneficiaries in this city eligible for the social amelioration program.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he was “shocked” after being informed by local social services head Pacita Tero that the quota of 103,658 beneficiary-families in Bacolod that were supposed to receive the grants had been slashed.
“We protest this belated and untimely adjustment in the strongest terms,” Leonardia lamented, pointing out that the original quota was “already short of our need” and thousands of families had already been made to believe that they can expect assistance from the national government.
The local social services office initially provided a target number of beneficiaries, but it was later reduced to 98,143, according to Tero.
“This is excruciatingly painful to the barangay officials who will have to make this cut and, more so, to those families whose expectations will be crushed,” stressed Leonardia.
The mayor further said that it was “made clear to us previously that the quota of 103,658 families excludes those already enjoying their social amelioration grants” such as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries, and those receiving similar grants from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Labor and Employment.
According to Leonardia, the change in the quota means barangay captains “will now have to eliminate” 5,515 families from their lists which were prepared on the basis of the original quota.
He requested for an immediate written explanation from DSWD 6 director Evelyn Macapobre on why the quota was cut without any warning, and after the barangay captains had already identified the families concerned who are, by now, naturally expecting their share.
Under Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, 18 million low-income families will receive a subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000, depending on the region. In Metro Manila, low-income households will receive the maximum of P8,000 per month for April and May, given the higher minimum wage in the region./PN
